"The Arctic may seem to be remote and intangible, but in fact Scotland is the Arctic’s closest neighbour. It’s in our back yard and what happens there affects us all. Alongside the amazing and uniquely adapted arctic wildlife, there are 4 million people that live there. so its important that Arctic development is sustainable. "

Location of the Arctic

Top of the world! The Arctic takes in parts of Canada, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Greenland and the US.

About the Arctic

Unlike the Antarctic, the Arctic is an icy sea surrounded by land. (Antarctica is icy land surrounded by sea.)

It may seem a bit chilly for some of us, but the Arctic is home to around four million people, including indigenous communities, spread across eight countries.

There’s a amazing amount of wildlife too, all uniquely adapted to life in this icy landscape.

But their environment is changing, because of global warming. Temperatures vary here anyway, from -60°C to +30°C (occasionally even hotter), and the sea ice during the summer months is declining. But with global warming, that ice is shrinking fast.

Scientists predict there may be virtually no summer sea ice in the Arctic within a generation. We need to stop global warming, urgently!

Wildlife living in the arctic

Far from being a frozen wasteland, the Arctic is home to around 450 types of fish, 280 kinds of bird and 130 different mammals (including polar bears, narwhals and Arctic foxes) – and even coldwater coral reefs.

Narwhals

Arctic fox

Arctic wolves

Challenges affecting the Arctic

Climate change

Arctic wildlife has evolved over thousands of years to cope with polar environments – but conditions may be changing faster than most can adapt to. Warming seas are more acidic too, which is damaging for a lot of sealife.
We’re working to tackle the causes and effects of climate change.

Challenges affecting the Arctic

Working with governments and communities

We’re working with governments, here in the UK and in Arctic nations, so they do all they can to protect the Arctic against the worst effects of climate change and other threats. We also work with indigenous people around the Arctic, helping them adapt to the changing environment.

Challenges affecting the Arctic

Oil and gas exploration

Yes, there may well be huge untapped reserves of oil and gas under the Arctic – but we believe they should be left there. The environmental risks and likely damage to this remote and precious region (and to the global climate) are just too great.

Challenges affecting the Arctic

Shipping

Less sea ice means the Arctic Ocean is opening up to more shipping traffic – which increases risks of pollution, collisions and other damaging disruptions for sealife. We’re working with the International Maritime Organisation to help make shipping in the Arctic (and Antarctic) as safe and environmentally responsible as possible.

Challenges affecting the Arctic

Conflict between people and wildlife

Loss of sea ice and habitat has meant animals like the polar bear have been pushed into more contact with people in Arctic villages and towns – with dangerous consequences all round.
We support work that includes fitting satellite-transmitter collars on some bears to track their movements, and see how they’re adapting to the warming climate and loss of ice. We also help local people find ways to reduce conflict with polar bears.

Environments in the arctic

More Arctic protection

Between 1991 and 2010, the amount of the Arctic that has some form of protected status doubled from 5.6% to 11%. There are now 1,127 protected areas in the Arctic, covering 3.5 million sq km.
We’re still working with Arctic governments to create a network of protected areas across the Arctic, to help cope with challenges like climate change and increased development in this unique environment.